WBSD Weekly Update

Every form you need to fill out for the school year and links to key departments are all on the Back 2 School Central page under the Parents dropdown menu on the district website wbsd.org.

• Click the Nutrition button if your child has an allergy or you might qualify for free/reduced lunch. We encourage families to continue to apply for meal benefits online at westbloomfield.familyportal.cloud (more information on that is in an article below). These supplemental programs have the potential to offer additional support for reduced priced sports, ACT, SAT, college application and AP exam waivers. This information is also critical in determining the amount of money our schools receive from a variety of State and Federal supplemental programs. Breakfast and lunch menus, click here.
• Click Transportation for the handbook and bus tracker and forms.
• Find the 2024-25 calendar and bell times all in one place.

It is critically important that we have updated contact information for you in the event of an emergency. WBSD has the ability to call, text and email - please make sure you're signed up for all options. You can unsubscribe at any time.

We take the responsibility of safely transporting students to and from school very seriously. Here are a few tips to ensure a smooth start to the year:

• Check your email for information on your bus stop
• Arrive at the bus stop 10 minutes prior to your scheduled pick up time - especially the first week of school
• Please note that afternoon drop-offs may be slightly later than anticipated that first week as teachers, staff and students learn their new bus assignments
• Consult the WBSD website for the Transportation Handbook on expected behaviors and rules
• Check out our safety video with CCTV
• Look forward to a safe and enjoyable year!

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has issued new guidelines regarding sexual harassment and sexual assault information for students to comply with MCL 380.1508 (Public Act 57 of 2023). MDE worked with experts on sexual assault and sexual harassment, including but not limited to the Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board (MDSVPTB), housed within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Division of Victim Services and the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCEDSV). The materials have been reviewed by students and partners in the education, public health, and sexual violence fields to make them clear and accessible.

In order to comply with new requirements, the district distributed the SHSA-Info-Guide WBSD to 6-12th grade students, families and staff as we shared last week. WBSD is sending this again today to parents, guardians and staff so they have an opportunity to review it and discuss this within their family.

Elementary School Menus

• Breakfast Menu August - September 2024
• Lunch Menu August - September 2024

Middle School Menus

• Breakfast Menu August - September 2024
• Lunch Menu August - September 2024

High School Menus

• Breakfast Menu August - September 2024
• Lunch Menu August - September 2024

The new school year has opened in meal magic so we are ready for free and reduced applications to start coming in. We are serving free meals under Michigan School Meals again this year, but we still need all families to complete an application. The free and reduced meals application is now called the "Education and Nutrition Benefits Application." This is because it is tied to other benefits that families may receive such as Summer EBT. These supplemental programs have the potential to offer additional support for reduced priced sports, ACT, SAT, college application and AP exam waivers. This information is also critical in determining the amount of money our schools receive from a variety of State and Federal supplemental programs.

Here is an FAQ letter answering Frequently Asked Questions. All of our applications are taken 100% online.

Our special dietary needs form is also posted online. This needs to be filled out and returned to nutrition services for any students that may have severe medical food allergies. Thank you!

Parents of WBSD students can apply to receive six non-perishable meals each Friday of the school year. The goal of Fueling Kids' Futures is to make sure no child goes hungry on the weekend. Run by volunteers, there is NO cost to the families. For the application, click here.

Save the Date: the major fundraiser for Fueling Kids' Futures is Trivia Night Friday, November 8.

For those middle and high school students participating in athletics:

To maintain the scope of programs WBSD provides, allowing students to have a wide variety of opportunities for involvement in activities beyond the school day, it has become necessary to reinstate a fee for those wishing to participate in athletics.

Student-athletes in school-sponsored sports will be required to pay a one-time yearly fee based on the fee structure below. Students can participate in multiple athletic opportunities with this fee.

High School Level:

• Regular Rate $325
• Free/Reduced Lunch Rate $160*

Middle School Level:

• Regular Rate $225
• Free/Reduced Lunch Rate $110*

A family cap of $800, still applies for all athletes in the family, including both Middle School and High School Levels. It is a “true” family cap. *The free/reduced lunch rate is for those who have filed approved paperwork with the Nutrition Office for Free/Reduced Lunch.

Students must still provide an updated sports physical. Students participating in self-funded sports (equestrian, field hockey, figure skating, gymnastics, snowboarding, sailing, lacrosse) will pay their fees independently of the fee above.

Important: Please be aware that the fee does not guarantee playing time, only the opportunity to be on the team if selected. Payment will be made upon completion of the Final Forms registration for all teams that are "no cut" sports. Fall no-cut sports include cross country, football, and girls swim. Payments for sports with cuts should not be made until the student has been selected for the team. Please contact the athletic director, Eric Pierce, with any questions. He can be reached at eric.pierce@wbsd.org or 248.865.6743.

Join us for our first ever Community Movie Night 6 p.m., Friday, 9/6, on the West Bloomfield High School football field. $3 cash/person supports the school activity fund and concessions profits will benefit the athletic department. Bring a blanket or a chair and watch Lyle with our Laker Nation in our largest outdoor classroom (thank you for the bond that made our scoreboard possible).

Anyone high school aged or adult can help volunteer to raise funds for WBHS Performing Arts. Volunteers will receive a FREE festival lunch, FREE Renaissance Festival tickets, a portion of CASH TIPS, and will have the RARE OPPORTUNITY to see some of the behind the scenes of the festival. Volunteers will help at select food booths. The WBHS Performing Arts Program will receive a portion of the food booth proceeds. This is an amazing opportunity for our students and the program!

Details link here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f5nim_up5ALpmskMnaSn-ZteXV6jLCUbQcDNnQ5MIbI/edit?usp=sharing

Sign-up link here: https://forms.gle/SZBJiRTxZxLCvcZc7

The 2024 Michigan Governor's High School Cyber Challenge is a two-round challenge program run by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) and SANS Institute. The first round started June 1 and continues through September 25. An in-person cyber range tournament called SANS NetWars follows as the championship round in October.

All Michigan high school students at least 16 years old are invited to participate in this series of free challenges designed to test their knowledge of cybersecurity, computer science, and information technology. The only requirements are an interest in cybersecurity and access to a computer. Students are encouraged to register on the 2024 Michigan Governor's High School Cyber Challenge website.

We have some job openings!

Please share these opportunities with your friends and family.

Job Postings.

To view the 2024-25 Calendar, which includes the start and end times for schools next year, Click Here. All start and end times remain the same except for Sheiko which will be on the center tier time schedule (8:20 a.m. start, 3:12 p.m. dismissal) while at the temporary location.

Our robotics season is getting underway, and we have room for a few more interested students!

We have 1 after school team with a couple openings, and 2 teams that will be meeting in the late afternoon/early evening - each with a few openings (both are potential teams for students also participating in sports). Have questions? Stop by our table at Family Fun Night (or reach out to wbrobotics2020@gmail.com)

Registration link

PLEASE NOTE - IGNORE DAYS AND TIMES LISTED ON THE REGISTRATION PAGE.

The after-school team will be meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and both evening teams will be meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays. All teams may also add in some Friday meetings. Our season kick-off is Saturday, September 7, and our regular fall meetings will begin the following week.

WBSD Community Education offers a wide array of enrichment and recreation classes. Check out what your Elementary School is offering:

• Soccer
• Karate
  
• Sunset Theatre
• Dodgeball
• Chess Wizards
• NEW! Team Handball Coached by former member of Team USA Joey Williams
• FIRST LEGO League Challenge for Fall, Grades 4th-5th
• Stay tuned for more information
• Math Pentathlon
• FIRST LEGO League for 1st-3rd starts Jan/Feb 2025
  

For more information and online registration, click here. Use the search feature to type in the program.

Book Lists

· Back to School (Youth)

· Schooled in Magic (Teen)

· Fall Sports (Youth)

Library Closed Labor Day Weekend

Saturday, August 31 – Monday, September 2

Both branches will reopen at 9 am on Tuesday, September 3.

Hobbit Day Celebration at the Westacres Branch Library

Saturday, September 7 from 2–3 p.m.

Westacres Activity Center
Join us for merrymaking worthy of a hobbit as we celebrate our favorite hobbits’ birthdays with fantasy themed crafts and activities.

For grades 6-12. No Registration Required

Who Would Win?

Saturday, September 7 from 11–11:45 a.m.

Main Library Youth Activity Center

If you love the Who Would Win series or learning about animals, join us for a debate as we put two animals against each other and decide a winner. Participants will use research skills to support their claims and come up with their own ideas for further battle pairings. For grades K-5. No Registration Required

• WBSD Employment Opportunities
• GWB Historical Society Events
• Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition
• West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation
• West Bloomfield Township Public Library

Pack 100 welcomes boys and girls in grades K through 5 from all WBSD elementary schools.

Wednesday, September 4

Time: Stop by anytime between 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Where: Sheiko Elementary iCenter (3380 Orchard Lake Rd)

Questions? Contact westbloomfieldcubscouts@gmail.com

Visit: https://discoverscouting.org/